Book Review: The Boy in the Striped Pajamas

Review by Elinor

Title: The Boy in the Striped Pajamas

Author: John Boyne

Rating: 5/5

Plot: If you start to read this book, you will go on a journey with a nine-year-old boy named Bruno. (Though this isn't a book for nine-year-olds.) And sooner or later you will arrive with Bruno at a fence.

Fences like this exist all over the world. We hope you never have to encounter one.

(Taken from the back cover)

The plot of this story was absolutely fantastic. The frightening truths of World War II were told through the eyes of an innocent and normal boy, who really doesn't understand what he is witnessing. Living near one of Germany's concentration camps, he goes exploring one day and meets another boy just like him - except on the other side of the fence. Bruno doesn't know why the people are separated by a fence, or why they are treated differently, but he makes a friend and decides it best to keep it a secret. 

Characters: This story was about 200 pages long, which is shorter than most novels I read, so I'll admit that I was a little skeptical about how easily I would connect to the characters compared to what I'm used to reading. I was very pleasantly surprised, and I felt that the characters were easier to connect to than anything I have read for some time. I loved the way that the author followed the thought processes of a typical nine-year-old boy, and it endeared Bruno to me even more deeply.

Emotion: The entire story is portrayed through the eyes of a young boy, so for most of it, even though you understood what was going on for those on the other side of the fence, it wasn't paid much attention because Bruno didn't know what was truly going on. So about ninety-percent of the book is fairly light-hearted and carefree. But I must give you a fair warning, the last few chapters of this story are some of the most heart-wrenching words I have ever read. I can honestly tell you that I have never sobbed so hard over fictional characters as I did for this book.

My Thoughts: This story was truly a work of art, and something that I will surely read for years to come. There's really nothing more for me to say... it was simply amazing.

I'm really not sure about an age recommendation on this book. Nothing inappropriate for younger children was ever fully described, but even I could hardly handle the ending. Your heart will be broken, no matter your age, so I would simply suggest reading at your own risk ;). 

Thank You!

Book Review: The Butterfly and the Violin

Title: The Butterfly and the Violin
Author: Kristy Cambron
Rating: 5/5

Plot: Manhattan art dealer Sera James watched her world crumble at the altar two years ago, and her heart is still fragile. Her desire fir distraction reignites a passion for a mysterious portrait she saw as a young girl - a painting of a young violinist with piercing blue eyes. 

   In her search for the painting, Sera crosses paths with William Hanover - the grandson of a wealthy California real estate mogul - who may be the key to uncovering the hidden masterpiece. Together Sera and William slowly unravel the story behind the paintings subject: Austrian violinist Adele Von Bron. 

   A darling of the Austrian aristocracy of 1942, talented violinist, and daughter to a high-ranking member of the Third Reich, Adele risks everything when she begins smuggling Jews out of Vienna. In a heartbeat, her life of prosperity and privilege dissolves into a world of starvation and barbed wire.

   As Sera untangles the secrets behind the painting, she finds beauty in the most unlikely places: the grim camps of Auschwitz and the inner recesses of her own troubled heart.

Copied from the back of The Butterfly and the Violin

 I could easily say this has been the best book I have read in a long time. The story was beautifully crafted and eloquently worded in ways that made you feel as if you really were in the darkest corners of Auschwitz. It was an amazing book that I will definitely read again in the future and recommend to all my friends and family.

Characters: Even though I was able to connect with all of the characters in an incredible way, I definitely connected with Adele the best. Cambron wrote her in a way that you could just understand. I loved every character and will not easily for get any of them.

Emotion: While this was mostly a depressing book, there was some humor now and then to try to relieve the reader a little bit! I felt that the book really showed what Auschwitz would have been like. It didn't sugar coat anything and depicted the rawness of it all beautifully.

Quality: As I said before, I haven't a book this amazing in ages. The author did an outstanding job with everything. It was obvious that she had done plenty of research, but she wove into the story perfectly so you felt like you learned something, but you hadn't just received an entire history lecture or anything!

My Thoughts: I absolutely LOVED this book! The romance level was perfect. I loved how everything connected in the end to create a beautifully complex and original story. I loved everything about this book and wouldn't change a thing that happened. I can't wait for the next Kristy Cambron book to come out!